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SGV was one of the sponsors of the ISACA Manila annual conference held at Okada Manila from 13 to 14 September 2023. SGV Consulting Principal Lee Carlo B. Abadia delivered a plenary talk on Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its benefits and risks. With the theme “Navigating the Future: Building Digital Trust through Effective IT Governance in the era of Innovate Tech,” this year's conference highlighted the importance of building trust in the digital age and how AI and Information Technology (IT) Governance can play a crucial role in achieving this goal. Lee talks about Generative AI During the plenary session, Lee emphasized the need to be proactive in understanding what Generative AI is in order to maximize its potential and place guardrails on how it could transform the way we live. SGV team receives certificate of appreciation Consulting Senior Managers Aileen Uy and Michael Ignacio led the SGV Booth team with the help of Consulting team members Patricia Ann Dizon, Mydi Nuell Macatiag, Krisha Mae Vinzon, Ronald Cabatingan, and Criselle Angela David; and Pauline Mauleon from Talent. The hybrid conference was attended by 232 in-person and 61 virtual participants. It was organized by the ISACA Manila Chapter led by SGV Consulting Partner Allan W. Ocho who is also the Chapter President. SGV Consulting Senior Managers Elvin Mercader and Mark Javiero formed part of the conference organizing committee as the Program Director and Breakout Moderator, respectively.

SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano ranked 4th in the May – June 2023 US Certified Management Accountant (CMA) exam. She also received the US CMA Distinguished Performance Award for her excellent scores on the exam. The results were announced on 20 September 2023.  SGV Tax Associate Shania Rose A. Lozano, CPA, CMA The CMA title is a credential that represents enhanced expertise in areas of accounting and finance, with competencies in strategic thinking, business analysis, and leadership. It is offered by the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA). Congratulations, Shania!

SGV Business Consulting Leader Ryan Gilbert K. Chua was a resource speaker at the 4th Pocket Session organized by the Membership Committee (MemCom) of the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) on “Scaling a BPO/Shared Services Business.” About 30 Executives from various IT and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) companies attended the event held at the Asia Select Office in Makati City on 25 August 2023. Event poster During the session, Ryan emphasized that while it may be relatively easy to start scaling, sustaining the process is a different matter. Ryan highlighted the importance of proper planning and execution, relationship/presence, methodology, and capability among others to scale sustainably. Ryan also touched on the relevance of mergers and acquisitions (M&As) in scaling up and highlighted why choosing the right strategy is key. Ryan (center) talks about how to scale BPOs/Shared Services Businesses sustainably Consulting Partner Jan Ray G. Manlapaz also attended the session. He raised relevant questions on the topics discussed during the panel discussion. Tax/Customs Partner/Principal Atty. Alden C. Labaguis coordinated the event with IBPAP. He was assisted by Indirect Tax (IDT) Associate Director Atty. Lauren Antonette M. Mendoza, and IDT Senior Associates Attys. Kierk Robin M. Ret and Natividad G. Busa, who formed part of the coordinating team. IBPAP is the primary trade body and advocacy group of the country’s IT-BPM sector and is composed of close to 400 companies and six partner associations.

SGV Clark Partner-in-Charge Margaux A. Advincula, together with Business Tax Advisory (BTA) Senior Associates Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese G. Marasigan and Atty. Fatima Kate N. Garo, joined the 32nd North Luzon Area Business Conference (NLAB) Conference held at the Thunderbird Resort in Poro Point, San Fernando City, La Union. Atty. Margaux (third from right) with Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce (SBFCC) President Benjamin Antonio III, SBFCC Executive Director Donna May Tamayo, and SGV Business Tax Advisory (BTA) Senior Associates Atty. Ma. Jeanne Therese Marasigan and Atty. Fatima Kate Garo, among others, at the 32nd NLAB Conference Key government officials and prominent business leaders led discussions concerning key issues impacting business and the economy, with a particular focus on investments, tourism, innovation, productivity, and food security in North Luzon. The conference also provided a platform for networking among delegates, allowing them to interact with businessmen from different parts of the country, explore innovative business opportunities, and establish potential partnerships. The two-day event highlighted programs and opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their importance in local economic growth. It brought together key officials from member Chambers and business partners located in North Luzon, successfully showcasing the investment potential of the region as an emerging hub for businesses and economic development. The 32nd NLAB Conference was organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of La Union (CCILU). 

Members of the SGV Clark team paid a courtesy call on newly appointed Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan on 30 August 2023 at the SBMA office.  (From left to right) Senior Director Niño Canlas, Associate Director Elgina Rito, Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, SBMA Chair and Administrator Jonathan Tan, SGV Clark Partner In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula, Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Garo, and SBMA Chief of Staff Martin Roman at the SBMA office SGV Clark Partner In-Charge and Head Atty. Margaux A. Advincula, Tax Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño, Assurance Senior Director Leo Niño Canlas, Global Tax Compliance Associate Director Elgina Rito, and Tax Senior Associate Atty. Fatima Kate Garo congratulated Mr. Tan on his appointment as the new SBMA Chairman and Administrator. They also discussed new collaboration on several tax and investment initiatives to promote the ease of doing business for SBMA locators, including updates on the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act. They were accompanied by SBMA Chief of Staff and Deputy Administrator for Port Operations Atty. Martin Kristoffer F. Roman.

SGV held its Withholding Tax series as part of the Tax Basics Seminar (TaxBaSe) series, which cover basic and updated tax rules and regulations along with illustrations and practical applications. Participants during the Q&A sessions in SGV Makati (left) and Clark (right) SGV Global Compliance and Reporting (GCR) Partners Josenilo “Nilo” G. Mendoza and Lee Celso R. Vivas were resource speakers in the seminar series held at the SGV Makati and Clark offices, respectively. There were 92 participants in Makati and 36 in Clark. (From left to right) Nilo, Lee, Leo and MeynardSGV GCR Partner Hentje Leo L. Leaño opened the sessions in both the Makati and Clark offices. SGV GCR Partner Francis “Kiko” J. Ricamora was also present during the Clark leg and joined the Q&A session. GCR Senior Director Meynard L. Sardalla and GCR Associate Director David Jonathan F. Manalili hosted the sessions in SGV Makati and Clark, respectively. (From left to right) David, Nilo, Lee, Kiko, and LeoThe Withholding Tax Series is a three-part series that includes General Concepts on Withholding, Expanded Withholding Tax (EWT), and Withholding Tax on Wages (WTW) and Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT). It aims to provide the participants with an updated and in-depth understanding of the general concepts of withholding taxes, and guidance on the computation, filing, payment, and other requirements relating to Final Withholding Tax (FWT) and Withholding Value-Added Tax (WVAT). 

SGV Davao Partner-in-Charge Jose Raoul Balisalisa was the guest speaker at Ateneo de Davao University’s Pinning Ceremony for 4th Year BS Accountancy students on 19 August 2023. The ceremony signaled the start of the students’ internship period with different companies, including SGV & Co. About 300 people, including the parents and guests of the students, were present. Raoul during his pinning ceremony speech Raoul’s message was centered on the theme “BUKANG-LIWAYWAY: Transforming Future Accountants, through Challenges and Opportunities.” Apart from sharing his personal experiences as an alumnus of the university and as an accountant, Raoul spoke briefly about SGV, its values, service lines and Nurturing Leaders Internship Program. He shared examples of realities in the workforce as well.  Raoul receives plaque of appreciation Raoul (center) with ADDU faculty and students during the group picture-taking  He concluded his speech by advising the students to not only build a career for themselves, but to also build character. He said that this would help them become more resilient and adaptive to change while overcoming challenges in the business world.

In line with SGV’s Sustainable Actions for Value-Creation and Enablement (SAVE) Council’s sustainability initiatives and as part of the observance of Earth Week, SGV donated 465.13 kg of preloved clothes to Wear Forward, a local circular-fashion startup. SGVeans from around the country participated in the SAVE Council’s used clothing collection drive, where all nine SGV offices were used as donation sites for preloved items of clothing. Some of the pre-loved clothing donations in SGV offices across the country The SGV SAVE Council expressed its appreciation to everyone who participated in the used clothing collection drive. The Council plans to hold more clothing collection efforts and other opportunities to practice sustainability. Preloved clothing donations packed for shipment to Wear Forward’s warehouse The preloved clothes were sent to Wear Forward’s facility in Bulacan for proper sorting and processing. Wear Forward seeks innovative solutions to the textile waste problem, including clothing recycling and reuse. These initiatives prevent usable clothing from ending up in landfills and further contributing to environmental degradation.

The SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Banking and Capital Markets (BCM) team hosted its annual Banking Industry Briefing on 31 August 2023. Topics such as Sustainability and Climate Risks, Digital Transformation, Innovation and Cyber Security, and a case study on Digital Innovation were discussed. More than 300 participants attended the event. (From left to right) FSO Leader Christian Lauron, BCM Leader Janeth Nuñez-Javier, FSO Assurance Leader Irene Janet Alvarado-Paraiso, Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson Tan, Maya Bank President Angelo Madrid, BSP Financial Supervision Sector Senior Director Melchor Plabasan, BSP Assistant Governor Lyn Javier, Deputy BCM Leader Veronica Arce Balisi, and Markets Leader Vicky Salas at the Banking Industry Briefing FSO Leader Christian Lauron welcomed the participants and delivered the opening remarks. SGV Markets Leader Vicky Salas served as the moderator during the Q&A session with external speakers: Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Assistant Governor Lyn Javier, BSP Financial Supervision Sector Senior Director Melchor Plabasan, and Maya Bank President Angelo Madrid. Banking Industry Briefing participants FSO Forensics and Cybersecurity Partners discussed different solutions relevant to banking clients and relevant regulatory updates and their impact on the audit of banks. FSO Partner and Wealth & Asset Management (WAM) Leader Ray Francis Balagtas delivered the closing remarks. SGV Chairman and Managing Partner Wilson Tan and FSO Assurance Leader Irene Janet Alvarado-Paraiso, among other Partners, were also present during the event. The FY24 Banking Industry Briefing was organized by FSO Partners and BCM Leader Janeth Nuñez-Javier and Deputy BCM Leader Veronica Arce Balisi together with FSO Senior Managers and BCM Lead Managers Geraldine Rose Ogerio and Glaiza Escaño.

SGV Financial Services Organization (FSO) Senior Manager Dominique Raissa Torralba and International Tax and Transactions Services (ITTS) Manager James Edward Agbayani were resource speakers in the 2023 JP Morgan Payments Forum held at the Grand Hyatt Manila. Participants from different business organizations attended the event. (From left to right) James, JP Morgan Philippines Executive Director and Payments Head Sari Mortel, Dominique, and JP Morgan Philippines Vice President and Philippines Client Service and Implementation Head Reginald Cruz Dominique and James discussed payments and e-invoicing, including insights on the latest trends and developments in the payments industry, and how the reliable and secure implementation of e-invoicing would spur greater digital payments adoption, and vice versa. FSO Senior Manager Dominique at the JP Morgan Payments Forum FSO Manager James during his presentation Dominique shared insights on the country’s attainment of the targets set by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, based on the digital payment adoption trend of different segments of users. Dominique also discussed the state of digital payments adoption in other jurisdictions, and how policies and processes put in place led to gains in the payments industry and were mutually beneficial for e-invoicing and taxation initiatives.  James, on the other hand, shared updates regarding the government’s goal towards digitalization through the implementation of the e-Invoicing system (EIS). He discussed the timeline of EIS implementation, as well as the aspects which companies need to adhere to and prepare for.  James and Dominique closed the discussion with an overview of what companies could expect in terms of the flow of their billing and payment processes considering the linkage of digital payments and e-invoicing. Other speakers were JP Morgan Philippines Equities Research Head Jeanette Yutan and JP Morgan Cybersecurity Operations Lead and Cybersecurity & Technology Controls, Asia Pacific Intelligence Group Head Adonis Polychronopoulos. The speakers provided valuable insights on several topics, such as the “Philippines Macroeconomic Outlook and Cybersecurity Essentials: Staying Ahead.” An open forum was also conducted after each speaker’s presentation. Dominique and James during the Q&A session EXL Health and Philippines Business Finance and Pricing Head Dipto Sen and JP Morgan Asia Pacific Digital Channel Product Solution Sales Lead Steffanus Widjaja also participated as panelists during the panel discussion on “Leveraging Technology for The Future of Treasury and Payments,” which was moderated by JP Morgan Singapore and ASEAN Treasury Services Product Head Gundeep Singh. JP Morgan Payments Forum participants JP Morgan Philippines Senior Country Officer and Banking Head Carlos Mendoza gave the welcome remarks, while JP Morgan Philippines Global Corporate Bank Head Richard Lee concluded the session by delivering the closing remarks and thanking the participants.